Yuan Geng
Yuan Geng | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Bao'an County, Guangdong, China |
| Died | January 31, 2016 (aged 98) |
| Occupation(s) | Guerrilla warrior, intelligence operative, entrepreneur, government official |
| Known for | Founding Shekou Industrial Zone, China International Marine Containers, CSG Holding, China Merchants Bank, Ping An Insurance; pioneer of China's reform and opening up |
Yuan Geng (; 23 April 1917 – 31 January 2016), originally named Ouyang Rushan, was a distinguished Chinese guerrilla warrior, celebrated war hero, intelligence operative, strategic policy innovator, and prolific entrepreneur serving the Chinese government. As an early proponent of China's reform and opening up initiative, he was instrumental in establishing the Shekou Industrial Zone, China International Marine Containers, CSG Holding, China Merchants Bank, and Ping An Insurance.
Early life and career
Hailing from Bao'an County, now incorporated into Shenzhen, Yuan Geng became a member of the Chinese Communist Party at age 21. Beginning in 1939, he engaged in guerrilla warfare against the Japanese occupation army as part of the Dongjiang (East River) Column. In 1942, he orchestrated a significant rescue operation saving 800 individuals. By 1944, he was leading the liaison section of the Dongjiang Column, supplying crucial intelligence to US forces regarding Japanese activities in Guangdong.
In 1945, Yuan founded a liaison office for Communist guerrillas stationed in Hong Kong, which later developed into the Xinhua News Agency office. This office functioned as the de facto embassy for the People's Republic of China after its establishment in 1949. During the Chinese Civil War, he served as an artillery officer until the conflict concluded in 1949.
After 1949, Yuan's roles included intelligence assignments such as collaborating with Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam in 1950 and serving as Consul in Jakarta in 1952. Notably, at the 1955 Bandung Conference, he protected Premier Zhou Enlai by preventing a Kuomintang assassination attempt. Yuan was detained during the Cultural Revolution beginning in 1968 but was rehabilitated by 1975, when he was appointed Deputy Director of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs within the Ministry of Transport.
Father of Shekou
Under the direction of Transport Minister Ye Fei, Yuan took charge of the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company based in Hong Kong. This enterprise, originating from the Qing dynasty era, had been transferred to PRC control in 1949. Recognizing its strategic value for pioneering market-oriented economic reforms on the mainland, Yuan submitted a report in October 1978 advocating for China Merchants to spearhead China's opening to global markets. This proposal received rapid approval from the State Council.
Following Deng Xiaoping’s reform agenda initiated after the December 1978 Third Plenum, Yuan initiated a pilot industrial zone centered on ship dismantling—the Shekou Industrial Park (SIP). This zone was granted exemptions from many mainland economic restrictions. With backing from Ye Fei and Guangdong official Zheng Sheng, SIP obtained formal authorization on January 31, 1979, from senior leaders including Li Xiannian and Gu Mu. The project became popularly known as "circled SIP."
Shekou set a precedent for China’s later Special Economic Zones (SEZs), which were established in April 1979 based on proposals by Guangdong officials led by Xi Zhongxun. His successor Ren Zhongyi worked closely with Yuan to promote these reforms further.
During the 1980s, Yuan introduced groundbreaking policies not seen since 1949: recruitment and remuneration based on merit, housing access detached from work unit affiliation, competitive tendering processes, implementation of local elections, press freedoms, and strategies to attract foreign direct investment. His housing reforms played a pivotal role in driving economic growth across the Pearl River Delta region. In 1985, Yuan facilitated local elections involving approximately 2,000 Shekou residents. The so-called "Shekou tempest" incident in 1988 illustrated the unique atmosphere of freedom cultivated under his leadership.
In 1981, Yuan coined the phrase “time is gold and efficiency is life,” which gained Deng Xiaoping’s endorsement during his visit to Shenzhen in 1984. This slogan became Shekou’s emblem and symbolized China’s reform era ethos.
Later enterprises
Yuan Geng was instrumental in founding multiple state-owned companies that played a crucial role in accelerating the Pearl River Delta's economic growth, with a particular emphasis on the advancement of Shekou. In January 1980, he initiated the creation of China International Marine Containers.
By July 1982, he had established China Nanshan Development (Group) Incorporation, marking China's inaugural Sino-foreign joint-stock joint venture, which concentrated on developing oil terminals.
He further contributed by forming Shenzhen Chiwan Wharf Holdings Limited (currently known as Chiwan Base) through a partnership with Singaporean investors.
In 1984, Yuan launched China Southern Glass Holding Limited, which has since become the leading manufacturer of architectural glass in China.
In 1987, he founded China Merchants Bank, recognized as the first joint-stock commercial bank on the mainland, with support from Chen Muhua, then Governor of the People's Bank of China.
By May 1988, Yuan played a pivotal role in establishing Ping An Insurance, mainland China's first joint-stock insurance firm, initially backed by China Merchants Bank.
Passing and legacy
Yuan Geng stepped down from his professional duties in 1992. Despite holding modest Party positions and not amassing personal wealth, he was widely admired for his integrity and modesty. He passed away on January 31, 2016, in Shenzhen.
Following his death, immediate accolades appeared across local and national news outlets, honoring him as a foundational figure in China's reform and opening-up era. A formal memorial service took place at the Shekou China Merchants Museum, presided over by Shenzhen Party Secretary Ma Xingrui and Mayor Xu Qin. Simultaneously, an impromptu public tribute was held at the Shekou Community Trust, demonstrating strong community appreciation for his contributions.
Tencent’s founder Pony Ma praised Yuan Geng as "the embodiment of the Shenzhen spirit."
On April 23, 2017—Yuan’s centennial birthday—a statue crafted by sculptor Lu Zengkang and sponsored by China Merchants Group was unveiled at Shekou’s Sea World. As of 2018, this statue is positioned before the Sea World Culture and Arts Center, which hosts exhibitions detailing Shekou’s development and Yuan’s influence. Additionally, a larger-than-life bust created by artist Yìshùjiā Wèizhī was installed in 2017 at Shenzhen Talent Park near the Shenzhen Bay Super Headquarters Base business district.